You ski in Tatras and you work in Tatras. Why do you love these mountains so much?

I do not consider myself as a “local patriot”, but since I was born and raised here, my very first contacts with mountains happened in Tatras. My dad was also working for IMGW (Institute for Meteorology and Water Management), so I used to visit the observing station quite often when I was a child. I just love Tatras. Late Wladyslaw Cywinski (a local legendary mountain guide and mountain rescue service member – ed. note) once said that the more you know something, the more you love it. This seems very true and applies not only to the mountains. 

I constantly discover something new in Tatras, although they seem so small in comparison to the Alps. I ask myself questions about certain places here, and as soon I find an answer, there are five more questions emerging. One thing these mountains are lacking, is about 1000 meters of height (laughs). But I am afraid that we will not see any tectonic activities anytime soon. On the other hand, you are able to reach nearly every location within one day, there are no glaciers with crevasses, and Western Tatras are just a true skiing paradise.

If you like to climb, there are both crystalline and limestone rocks. In the Alps, there are places where you will just not be able to get to and ski, it’s too far, too sketchy, too difficult. Tatras are available, although you still need to know your game and obey quite strict national park regulations.